Online focus groups in qualitative health research amid COVID 19: A technical and quality assessment guide (Preprint)

Abstract

The current pandemic has intensified the challenges experienced when conducting face-to-face focus group discussions as consequences of quarantines and physical distancing. These challenges include suspending real time focus groups (FGs) in qualitative research, and a transition from the conventional approach to an online setting. The purpose of this article is to conduct a literature review about various online platform that can be used to conduct FGs in order to help qualitative researchers to select the platform through which they can conduct good quality, time-efficient, and cost-effective online focus group discussions in qualitative health-related research. An overview of the pros and cons of synchronous and asynchronous online FGs and examples from qualitative health-related research is provided in the article. This is followed by an investigation of available quality assessment criteria for qualitative research and proposing a set of quality criteria that can be applied when conducting online FGs. Finally, a technical guideline representing technical specifications and features of various platforms is illustrated to help researchers to utilize the platform that best addresses their research needs.